Reports: Enes Freedom plans to sue NBA after receiving Most Valuable Patriot award

Enes Freedom, formerly known as Enes Kanter, made headlines again this week when he revealed that he plans to sue the NBA. The announcement came on the heels of him being awarded the 'Most Valuable Patriot' award by right-wing media syndicate Fox News.

Freedom has been missing from the league this season after playing just 35 games for the Celtics last season. Over the course of his limited stint with the team, Freedom averaged a career-low 3.7 points per game to go along with just 4.6 rebounds per game. Midway through the season, he was traded to the Houston Rockets, who immediately waived him.

While the Houston franchise waiving him seemed to be the result of his poor play throughout the first half of the year, Freedom believes otherwise.

At the time, he stated that he felt he had been waived because he had been outspoken about the Chinese Government. NBA commissioner Adam Silver refuted the claims, insisting that Freedom was free to speak his mind.

During an interview after winning the 'Most Valuable Patriot' award, Freedom explained that he reached out to all 30 NBA teams. According to his agent, nobody was interested in signing him. After talking with his lawyers, he's now gearing up for a legal battle.

"I did talk to my lawyers. This seven, eight months has been so busy. I was just going out there, giving speeches and stuff, but I think once I’m back at home I’m definitely looking forward to suing them.”

You can see the interview below, with Freedom explaining his decision to sue the NBA starting at the 2:40 mark.

Enes Freedom's plan to sue the NBA

From the looks of things, he could face an uphill battle through the potential lawsuit. In order to successfully win a lawsuit against the NBA, he would likely have to provide some sort of proof that the league blackballed him.

Not only that, but he would also have to show that there was a coordinated effort to keep him from playing as a direct result of his outspoken nature.

He, of course, isn't the only NBA veteran to find themselves essentially out of the league. The NBA's 'veteran problem' is one that has become increasingly apparent in recent years.

The most obvious case is Isaiah Thomas, who has been unable to find a team. Why Thomas couldn't be the last man off the bench in a league where Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Udonis Haslem have contracts has baffled many.

The answer in his case has always been that he's a defensive liability, something that has also been said about Enes.

Throughout the course of his career, he has never averaged more than .7 blocks per game, incredibly low for a center. Although his offensive abilities have masked his defensive liabilities over the years, with a career-low 3.7 points per game last season, it seems that's no longer the case.

Stay tuned for updates on this situation as they become available, and check out some of his career highlights below.